What size pump for this?

[Maich]

I was inspired by Chompers thread http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69943, So i decided to build one for my 55 gal.

Its made of 1/2 inch thin walled PVC. it has a slit in it every inch. (I made the slits with a very thin bladed table saw.) And i have it in my tank under my sand now. I will be adding about 3/4 inch to 1 inch of sand above it. So. I really need to know what size of a pump i need to power this? I want enough flow to keep crap off the bottom of the tank... This is going to be for african cichlids, so it cant be TOO powerful. Please comment and give me whatever info you know on this. Because i know just about nothing hehe (also, should it be a submersible or inline pump? Tell me which is the better/cheaper option, and better/cheaper bands.)

Thanks tons.

 

[Maich]

Oops forgot the pics

 

[hybridtheoryd16]

So the sand is covering this and you are wanting to push water thru and out of the slits?

I think that will be impossible with out the sand going flying thru the tank. It may work better with gravel. With gravel I would connect a 400gph power head to each side.

 

[Maich]

I forgot to mention. The slits are cut on the sides of the pvc. so it would not be shooting strait up, but sideways. Thus not blowing the send in the tank. (plus its fairly heavy sand)